BROWN, Thomas Erwin, born December 8, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri, died peacefully at home on June 20, 2023, at the age of 83. Tom is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; parents, Annette (née Beinke) and Erwin Brown; and sister, Bette Bergmeier.

Tom is survived by daughter Natalie (Brian) Healey, grandson Alexander (Gianna) Kaloyeros, great-grandchildren Francis and Giancarlo, niece Elizabeth (John) May, great-nieces Christen and Lindsey, brother-in-law Stanley Bergmeier, and brother-in-law Robert Spencer.

A North County kid for all of his 83 years, Tom was a 1957 graduate of Normandy High School. As a young man, Tom served as a paratrooper in the United States Army but curiously never accepted an invitation to visit the top of the Gateway Arch because he didn't care for heights.

He met his one-and-only true love, Barb Spencer, eloped at the St. Charles County courthouse in 1971, and they went on to enjoy 47 truly wonderful years together.

Tom was a proud Teamster, retiring in the mid-1990s after a long career with Smith Overall and Aramark. Quickly bored with retirement, his family bought a bar and restaurant at 9580 Page, renamed it TomE's, and went on to make countless friends and memories until they got out of the bar business in 2004.

Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, being out on the water, watching NASCAR and Cardinal baseball, doting on his grandchildren, and tinkering in his basement workshop. He lived a long, very happy, and very full life.

The family wishes to thank the compassionate caregivers of SSM Health Home Hospice for their kindness and guidance over the past months.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to The BackStoppers at backstoppers.org.

Visitation June 25 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Collier's Funeral Home, 3400 N. Lindbergh Blvd. in St. Ann. A brief service will follow at 6 p.m. Please join the family for food, drinks, and memories at Stanley's Cup and Grill at 9580 Page Ave. in Overland immediately following the service.

Tom will be cremated and laid to rest with Barb at Fee Fee Cemetery in Bridgeton at a later date.

We will miss you, Papa. We love you.